Lubricating oil containing dispersant viscosity index improver

ABSTRACT

Lubricating oils of improved properties contain a terpolymer of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, and stearyl methacrylate which has been coupled with phenothiazine and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to lubricating oils. More particularly it relates to lubricating compositions characterized by improved pour point, dispersancy and viscosity index.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known to those skilled in the art, it is possible to improve the properties of a lubricating oil by addition of various components. The viscosity index may be improved; the dispersancy may be improved. Continued efforts are being made to attain improvement in these and other properties, and to attain these improvements at reduced cost. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved lubricating composition. Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with certain of its aspects, this invention is directed to a method of preparing a functionalized polymer which comprises

copolymerizing, under free radical polymerization conditions, (i) first monomer containing a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond and an isocyanate moiety and (ii) second monomer containing a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond and which is free of isocyanate moieties thereby forming a copolymer of molecular weight M_(n) of about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 containing pendant side chains containing isocyanate moieties;

functionalizing a first portion of said side chains containing isocyanate moieties with first functionalizing agent containing at least one sulfur atom and at least one hetero nitrogen atom; functionalizing a second portion of said side chains containing isocyanate moieties with, as second functionalizating agent, a primary or secondary amine thereby forming a dually functionalized product polymer; and recovering said dually functionalized product polymer.

THE FIRST MONOMER

The first monomer which may be employed in practice of the process of this invention contains ethylenic unsaturation and isocyanate moiety.

Preferably the first monomer may be characterized by the formula: ##STR1##

In the above formula, R² may be a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of alkylene, aralkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene and alkarylene, including such radicals when inertly substituted. When R² is alkylene, it may typically be methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, propylene, n-butylene, i-butylene, sec-butylene, amylene, octylene, decylene, octadecylene, etc. When R² is aralkylene, it may typically be benzylene, beta-phenylethylene, etc. When R² is cycloalkylene it may typically be cyclohexylene, cycloheptylene, cyclooctylene, 2-methylcloheptylene, 3-butylcyclohexylene, 3-methycyclohexylene, etc. When R² is arylene, it may typically be phenylene, naphthylene, etc. When R² is alkarylene, it may typically be tolylene, xylylene, etc. R² may be inertly substituted, i.e., it may bear a non-reactive substituent such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, ether, etc. Typically inertly substituted R² groups may include 2-ethoxyethylene, carboethoxymethylene, 4-methylcyclohexylene, etc. The preferred R² groups may be lower alkylene, i.e., C₁ -C₁₀ alkylene, groups including e.g. methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, butylene, amylene, hexylene, octylene, decylene, etc. R² may preferably be ethylene --CH₂ CH₂ --.

In the above compound, R may be a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, alkyl, aryl and alkaryl, including such radicals when inertly substituted. When R is alkyl, it may typically be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, sec-butyl, amyl, octyl, decyl, octadecyl, etc. When R is aralkyl, it may typically be benzyl, beta-phenylethyl, etc. When R is cycloalkyl, it may typically be cyclohexyl, cyloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 2-methylcycloheptyl, 3-butylcyclohexyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, etc. When R is aryl, it may typically be phenyl, naphthyl, etc. When R is alkaryl, it may typically be tolyl, xylyl, etc. R may be inertly substituted, i.e., it may bear a non-reactive substituent such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, ether, etc. Typically inertly substituted R groups may include 2-ethyoxyethyl, carboethoxymethyl, 4-methyl cyclohexyl, etc. The preferred R groups may be lower alkyl, i.e., C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, groups including e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, etc. R may preferably be methyl.

The first monomer may be an isocyanate of an unsaturated hydrocarbon typified by those listed below in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Allyl                isocyanate                                                Buten-2-yl           isocyanate                                                buten-3-yl           isocyanate                                                p-isocyanato         styrene                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The first monomer may be an isocyanate of an unsaturated acid (as acid or as ester) typified by that provided below in Table 2.

TABLE 2

4-isocyanato-butene-2-carboxylic acid

The preferred first monomers may be isocyanatohydrocarbyl esters of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, typified by those listed below in Table 3.

TABLE 3

isocyanatoethyl methacrylate

isocyanatomethyl acrylate

omega-isocyanato-n-butyl methacrylate

The preferred first monomer may be isocyanatoethyl methacrylate.

THE SECOND MONOMER

The second monomer which may be employed in practice of the process of this invention may contain ethylenic unsaturation in a carbon-to-carbon double bond and be free of isocyanate moieties. These monomers may be characterized by the formula C═CA wherein A may be hydrogen or a pendant halide, carboxyl, hydrocarbon (typified by alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, etc.), --COOR', etc. The carbon atoms of C═CA may bear inert substituents as is the case for example with methacrylates (wherein the inert substituent is --CH₃). Typically the second monomer may be a vinyl halide such as vinyl chloride, a vinyl carboxylate such as vinyl acetate, etc. It may be a styrene, a para-vinyl benzoate, etc.

Preferably the second monomer may be a methacrylate having the formula ##STR2##

In the above formula, R may be a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and alkaryl including such radicals when inertly substituted. When R is alkyl, it may typically be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, secbuty, amyl, octyl, decyl, octadecyl, etc. When R is aralkyl, it may typically be benzyl, beta-phenylethyl, etc. When R is cycloalkyl, it may typically be cycloahexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 2-methylcycloheptyl, 3-butylcyclohexyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, etc. When R is aryl, it may typically be phenyl, naphthyl, etc. When R is alkaryl, it may typically be tolyl, xylyl, etc. R may be inertly substituted i.e. it may bear a non-reactive substituent such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, ether, etc. Typically inertly substituted R groups may include 2-ethoxyethyl, carboethoxymethyl, 4-methyl cyclohexyl, p-methylphenyl, p-methylbenzyl, 3-methyl-5-methylphenyl, etc. The preferred R groups may be alkyl, i.e. C₁₂ -C₂₀ stearyl, etc. R may preferably be lauryl.

R' may be as above noted. Preferably R' is hydrogen or more preferably methyl.

When R' is methyl or hydrogen, it is apparent that the compositions may be methacrylates or acrylates.

Typical methacrylates and acrylates may include those listed below in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         methyl              acrylate                                                   methyl              methacrylate                                               ethyl               acrylate                                                   propyl              acrylate                                                   butyl               methacrylate                                               octyl               acrylate                                                   lauryl              acrylate                                                   lauryl              methacrylate                                               decyl               acrylate                                                   myristyl            acrylate                                                   myristyl            methacrylate                                               cetyl               acrylate                                                   cetyl               methacrylate                                               stearyl             acrylate                                                   stearyl             methacrylate                                               myristyl            acrylate                                                   myristyl            methacrylate                                               eicosyl             acrylate, etc.                                             ______________________________________                                    

The preferred second monomer may be stearyl methacrylate.

It is a feature of this invention that the copolymer may be formed from more than one first monomer and/or more than one second monomer. For example, it may be possible to form a copolymer from (i) isocyanatoethyl methacrylate as first monomer and (ii) isocyanatomethyl acrylate as auxiliary first monomer. It may also be possible to utilize for example (iii) lauryl methacrylate as second monomer and (iv) stearyl methacrylate as auxiliary second monomer.

In one preferred embodiment, the polymer may be formed from (i) isocyanatoethyl methacrylate as first monomer, (ii) stearyl methacrylate as second monomer, and (iii) lauryl methacrylate as auxiliary second monomer.

When two second monomers are employed, they may for example be both acrylates or both methacrylates, etc. In the preferred embodiment, they may both be methacrylates wherein the alcohol-derived portions of the esters may be characterized as higher and lower moieties in the higher and lower second and auxiliary second monomers.

The preferred higher second monomer may be stearyl C₁₈ methacrylate. The preferred lower second monomer may be lauryl C₁₂ methacrylate.

The monomers may be employed in pure form or in commercially available form. One typical commercially available stearyl methacrylate for example contains the following components listed below in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Component      W %                                                             ______________________________________                                         Stearyl (C.sub.18)                                                                            52-64                                                           Cetyl (C.sub.16)                                                                              30-44                                                           Less than C.sub.16                                                                            remainder                                                       ______________________________________                                    

It is a feature of the process of this invention that the lower second monomer contain at least about two and preferably 2-6 less carbons (in the alcohol moiety) than does the higher second monomer. The carbon number (i.e. the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol-derived portion of the ester) of the higher acrylate ester is at least about 2, and typically 2-6 more than the carbon number of the alcohol-derived moiety of the lower acrylate ester. For example if the lower pure monomer contains 10 carbon atoms (decyl), then the higher pure monomer may for example contain 12 or more carbon atoms. If the first pure monomer is myristyl (C₁₄), then the second pure monomer may for example be cetyl (C₁₆). It will be noted that "even-numbered moieties" are designated and preferred because of their commercial availability. When available, the esters derived from alcohols containing an odd number of carbon atoms may be employed.

When the esters employed are commercially available esters containing several homologues, then the carbon number to be employed in determining the alcohols which may be employed is the weight average carbon number, as determined for example by quantitative gas chromatographic analysis.

The preferred product polymers may be those which use as second and as auxiliary second monomers, those obtained from (i) commercially available lauryl methacrylate and (ii) commercially available stearyl methacrylate.

It is preferred to produce the desired product by copolymerization.

PREPARATION OF COPOLYMER

Copolymerization is typically effected by adding first monomer(s) and second monomer(s) to a reaction operation in mole ratio of 1:2-1:12, preferably 1:4-1:8, say about 1:6. There is preferably also added to the reaction operation polymerization-solvent in amount of 25-75 parts, say 47 parts per 100 parts of total reactants. Typical solvent may include hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, gas oil, lubricating oil cuts, etc. The preferred solvent may be the lubricating oil in which the product is to be used, or it may be a solvent neutral oil typified 145 P Pale Turbine Oil.

There is aded to the reaction mixture 0.018-0.35 parts, say 0.05 parts of C₁ -C₂₀ alkyl mercaptan which serves as chain transfer agent (polymer chain length modifier). There is also added to the reaction mixture 0.05-0.15 parts, say 0.05 parts of dicumyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, or azobisisobutyronitrile which serves as polymerization initiator.

The reaction system may be purged with inert gas such as nitrogen and heated to 40° C.-150° C., preferably 40° C.-100° C., say 83° C. for 1-10 hours, preferably 1-6 hours, say 2.5 hours. Typically heating is continued until two consecutive identical refractive indices are obtained. Then additional azobisisobutyronitrile and solvent may be added. The temperature may be raised about 60° C. to about 160° C., preferably about 80° C. to about 120° C., say about 100° C. and maintained at that level for about 10 to about 120 minutes, say about 60 minutes.

Product copolymer typically contains the same molar proportions as are present in the reaction mixture, i.e. it contains moieties derived from the first reactant in amount of about 8 to about 35 mole %, preferably about 10 to about 20 mole %, say about 15 mole % and moieties derived from the second reactant in amount of about 65 to about 92 mole %, preferably about 80 to about 90 mole %, say about 85 mole %. This corresponds to a mole ratio of about 1:2-12 and preferably about 1:4-8, say 1:6.

In the preferred embodiment in which the first monomer is isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and the second monomer is stearyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate, the final polymer may contain about 2 to about 15 mole %, say about 8 mole % derived from isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, about 60 to about 70 mole %, say about 65 mole % derived from lauryl methacrylate and about 15 to about 38 mole %, say about 27 mole % derived from stearyl methacrylate.

The preferred molecular weight M_(n) of the copolymer may be 10,000-1,000,000, preferably 20,000-180,000, more preferably 60,000-100,000, say about 98,000, corresponding to a M_(w) of 38,000-450,000, preferably 200,000-250,000, say 213,000. Control of the molecular weights to within this desired range is obtained by use of chain transfer agents such as C₁ -C₂₀ alkyl (e.g. lauryl) mercaptans and by control of the ratio of monomer to initiator.

The product polymer is typically obtained as a 25 -80 wt. %, preferably 30-70 wt. %, say 50 wt. % solution in the solvent. It may be recovered and used as is or preferably it may be formulated into a concentrate containing polymer.

Typical polymers which may be utilized in practice of the process of this invention may include those listed below in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         A.         8 mole % isocyanatoethyl methacrylate                                         64 mole % lauryl methacrylate                                                  28 mole % stearyl methacrylate                                       B.         4 mole % isocyanatoethyl methacrylate                                         70 mole % lauryl methacrylate                                                  26 mole % stearyl methacrylate                                       C.         4 mole % isocyanatomethyl acrylate                                            70 mole % decyl acrylate                                                       26 mole % stearyl methacrylate                                       D.         8 mole % isocyanatomethyl acrylate                                            65 mole % lauryl acrylate                                                      27 mole % stearyl methacrylate                                       ______________________________________                                    

It is a feature of the polymers of this invention as so prepared that they are characterized by their ability to be utilized as pour depressants in hydrocarbon systems typified by lubricating oils.

When used as a pour depressant, the polymer may be present in the system in pour depressant amount. This may typically be 0.05-0.3 parts, preferably 0.07-0.25 parts, say 0.1 parts per 100 parts of e.g. lubricating oil. By the use of quantities of this magnitude it is possible to convert an oil having a pour point of minus 5° F. to 20° F., say 10° F. (as measured by ASTM D- 97) to a product having a pour point of minus 10° F.-minus 25° F., say minus 20° F.

COUPLING REACTIONS

The polymer containing isocyanato moieties may be subjected to a coupling reaction in which a portion of the side chains containing isocyanato moieties is coupled with a first functionalizing agent (antioxidant) which contains at least one sulfur atom and at least one hetero nitrogen atom and a second functionalizing agent (dispersant amine).

It is a feature of the process of this invention that there may be coupled onto these oil-soluble, substantially linear, carbon-carbon, backbone polymers, units derived from a first functionalizing agent which contains at least one sulfur atom and at one hetero nitrogen atom to provide anti-oxidant properties in the product polymer.

It is believed that best anti-oxidant activity in the desired polymer product is attained by coupling heterocyclic compounds which exhibit anti-oxidant activity when present in unbonded form. Preferred of these latter is phenothiazine.

The first functionalizing agent which may be employed may be monocyclic or polycyclic; and the nitrogen and sulfur may be contained in the same or a different ring. In the preferred embodiment, the functionalizing agent may be polycyclic and the nitrogen and sulfur may be in the same heterocyclic ring. The sulfur may be a hetero atom as is the case with phenothiazine or it may be pendant on a heteronitrogen ring as in a mercaptoimidazole.

The first functionalizing agent can be a heterocyclic/aromatic or heterocyclic compound containing sulfur and hetero-nitrogen. The compounds which may be used as the first functionalizing agent include:

(1) phenothiazine and ring or/and N-substituted phenothiazine. Substituents may include hydrocarbon radicals selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or heterocyclic, including such radicals when containing oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halide or combinations thereof.

Typically, the ring-substituted phenothiazine may include alkyl or alkenyl phenothiazines, alkoxy phenothiazines, hydroxy alkyl phenothiazines, aminophenothiazines, nitrophenothiazines, 3-formyl-10-alkyl-phenothiazine, or 2-amino-4-(2-phenthiazinyl) thiazole.

(2) mercapto-imidazoles or mercaptobenzimidazoles, such as 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, 2-mercaptotoluimidazole or 2-mercapto-1-ethyl imidazole or 2-mercaptoimidazole.

(3) 2-mercapto-4-phenylthiazole or 2-mercaptobenzothiazole.

(4) mercapto-triazoles and mercaptobenzotriazoles, such as 3-mercapto-1H-1,2,4-triazole or 3-amino-5-methylthio-1H-1,2,4-triazole.

(5) 2-mercapto-thiazoline.

(6) mercaptopyrimidine,including 2-mercaptopyrimidine.

(7) mercaptopyridines, such as 2-mercapto pyridine, 4-mercapto-pyridine or 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide.

(8) mercaptooxazoles and mercaptobenzoxazoles, such as 2-mercaptobenzoxazole.

(9) mercaptoaniline, thiomorpholine, 6-mercaptopurine and 2-thiophene-ethyl amine.

Preferred of the functionalizing agents is phenothiazine which is a three-ring compound containing the nitrogen and sulfur in the same ring.

In practice of the process of this invention, 100 parts of charge polymer containing isocyanate groups may be added to 100-1000 parts, say 300 parts of diluent-solvent. Typical diluent-solvent may be a hydrocarbon solvent such as mineral oil, n-hexane, n-heptane, or tetrahydrofuran. Preferred solvent may be a commercial mineral oil. Reaction mixture may then be heated to reaction conditions of 60° C.-180° C., preferably 150° C.-170° C., say 155° C.

First functionalizing agent, typically phenothiazine, is admitted in amount of 1-40 parts, say 5 parts, as a solution in 2-20 parts, say 8 parts of diluent-solvent typically synthetic diester base stock oil. Phenothiazine may be added alternatively as a powder or as a slurry in oil or other solvent used as reaction medium.

It is a feature of the process of this invention that it is preferable to effect functionalization with the first functionalizing agent and the second functionalizing agent simultaneously.

The polymer containing isocyanate moieties is coupled with the first functionalizing agent such as phenothiazine, preferably in the polymerization solvent in which it was prepared and with a second functionalizing agent such as heterocyclic or aliphatic amine.

The amines may typically be characterized by the formula ##STR3##

In this formula, a may be a number 1-20, preferably 1-10, say 5; x is 0 or 1; and n may be 0 or 1.

In the above compound, R' may be hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and alkaryl, including such radicals when inertly substituted. When R' is alkyl, it may typically be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, amyl, octyl, decyl, octadecyl, etc. When R' is a aralkyl, it may typically be benzyl, beta-phenylethyl, etc. When R' is cycloalkyl, it may typically be cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 2-methylcycloheptyl, 3-butylcyclohexyl, 3-methylcyclohexyl, etc. When R' is aryl, it may typically be phenyl, naphthyl, etc. When R' is alkaryl, it may typically be tolyl, xylyl, etc. R' may be inertly substituted i.e. it may bear a non-reactive substituent such as alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, ether, etc. Typically inertly substituted R' groups may include 2-ethoxyethyl, carboethoxymethyl, 4-methyl cyclohexyl, etc. The preferred R' groups may be hydrogen or lower alkyl, i.e. C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, groups including e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, etc. R' may preferably be hydrogen.

R"' may be a hydrocarbon selected from the same group as R' subject to the proviso that R" is divalent and contains one less hydrogen atom. R"' may be alkylene, alkarylene, aralkylene, cycloalkylene, or arylene. In an alternative embodiment, R" may, together with the nitrogen atoms, form a cycloaliphatic or an aromatic ring.

Typical polyamines which may be employed may include:

1. Primary or secondary aliphatic amines, selected from the group consisting of amines containing 2 to 20 nitrogens, preferably 2 to 10 nitrogens, say 3 nitrogens, and molecular weight ranking between 60 to 600, preferably 100 to 400. Typical amines which may be employed may include:

3-dimethylaminopropylamine

N,N-diethyl-1,3-propanediamine

N-(-3-aminopropyl-tetramethyliminobis-)propylamine

2. Primary or secondary heterocyclic amines selected from the group consisting of piperazine and its derivatives such as:

N-methylpiperazine

N-aminoethylpiperazine

N-hydroxyethylpiperazine

3. Primary or secondary heterocyclic amines selected from the group consisting morpholine and its derivatives such as:

morpholine

N-aminopropylmorpholine

2,6-dimethylmorpholine

4. Primary or secondary heterocyclic amines such as:

1-(-3-aminopropyl)-2-pipecoline

1-(-3-aminopropyl)-2-pyrrolidinone

aminopyrazine

3-aminopyrazole

aminopyridines

2-aminopyrimidine

4-aminopyrimidine

aminoquinolines

aminotetrazoles

It is preferred that the amine be a 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, N-amino-propylmorpholine or N-hydroxyethylpiperazine.

In practice of the process of this invention, 100 parts of charge polymer containing isocyanate units may be added to 100-1000 parts, say 300 parts of diluent-solvent. Typical diluent-solvent may be a hydrocarbon solvent such as mineral oil, n-hexane, n-heptane, or tetrahydrofuran. Preferred solvent may be a commercial mineral oil. Reaction mixture may then be heated to reaction conditions of 60° C.-180° C., preferably 150° C.-170° C., say 155° C.

Preferably first functionalizing agent, typically phenothiazine, in amount of 1-20 parts, say 4 parts, may be mixed with 0.5-20 parts, say 2 parts, of second functionalizing agent, typically 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, and the mixture may be admitted to the reaction system.

Reaction is typically carried out at 60° C.-180° C., say 155° C. for 0.5-20 hours, preferably 2-10 hours, say 5 hours, during which time coupling of functionalizing agent with the isocyanate groups containing polymer occurs.

Typically the product may by contain 0.1-60, say 3 units derived from second functionalizing agent per 1000 carbon atoms of the charge backbone polymer.

It is a feature of this invention that the so-prepared polymer may find use in lubricating oils as multifunctional additive (e.g. viscosity index improvers which provide pour depressant, dispersant, and anti-oxidant properties, etc) when present in effective amount of 0.2-10 wt. %, preferably 1-6 wt. %, say 5.0 wt. %.

Lubricating oils in which the multifunctional additives of this invention may find use may include automotive, aircraft, marine, railway, etc. oils; oils used in spark ignition or compression ignition; summer or winter oils; etc. Typically the lubricating oils may be characterized by an ibp of 570° F.-660° F., say 610° F.; an ep of 750° F.-1200° F., say 1020° F.; and an API gravity of 25-31, say 29.

A typical lubricating oil in which the polymer of this invention may be present may be a standard SAE 5W-30 hydrocarbon motor oil formulation having the following composition provided below in Table 8.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                                               W %                                                      ______________________________________                                         Base Oil                86                                                     Viscosity Index Improver                                                                               5                                                      (product of invention)                                                         Standard Additive Package:                                                                             9                                                      Polyisobutenyl (--M.sub.n 1290) succinimide                                    (dispersant);                                                                  calcium sulfonate (detergent);                                                 Zinc dithiophosphate (anti-wear);                                              di-nonyl diphenyl amine (anti-oxidant);                                        4,4'-methylene-bis (2,6-di-t-butyl phenol)                                     (antioxidant);                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Use of the additive of this invention makes it possible to readily increase the viscosity index by 25-40 units, say 35 units and to obtain improved ratings on the tests measuring the dispersancy of the system. The viscosity index is determined by ASTM Test D-445.

Practice of the process of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examples wherein, as elsewhere in this specification, all parts are parts by weight unless otherwise set forth. Control examples are designated by an asterisk.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS EXAMPLE 1

In this example which describes the best mode presently known of carrying out the first step, there is charged to a reaction vessel, under nitrogen, 2.50 g isocyanatoethyl methacrylate first monomer, 202.95 g lauryl methacrylate second monomer, 44.55 g of stearyl methacrylate auxiliary second monomer, 0.25 g of lauryl mercaptan chain transfer agent, and 46.50 g of mineral oil polymerization solvent.

The reaction mixture is heated to 83° C. with agitation under nitrogen; and 0.40 g of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) polymerization initiator is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours, followed by addition of 0.90 g of azobisisobutyronitrile and 203.5 g of 100E Pale Oil. Heating at 83° C. is continued for 1.5 hour and then the temperature is raised to 100° C. for an additional hour. The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature.

EXAMPLE 2

The reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge included 0.50 g lauryl mercaptan. All other regent quantities are the same as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

Reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge includes 5.0 g of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, 164.15 g of lauryl methacrylate, and 80.85 g of stearyl methacrylate. All other reagent quantities are the same as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 4

Reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge includes 10.00 of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, 196.8 g of lauryl methacrylate, and 43.2 g of stearyl methacrylate. All other reagent quantities are the same as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

Reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge includes 0.50 of lauryl mercaptan. All other reagent quantities are the same as in Example 4.

EXAMPLE 6

Reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge includes 20.00 g of isocyanatoethyl metharylate 188.6 g of lauryl methacrylate 41.4 g of stearyl methacrylate. All other reagent quantities are the same as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7

Reaction conditions are the same as in Example 1. Charge includes 0.50 g of lauryl mercaptan. All other reagent quantities are the same as in Example 6.

EXAMPLE 8

In this example there is added to the product of Example 1 in the same reaction vessel 3.29 of 3-dimethylaminopropylamine and 6.42 g of phenothiazine. The reaction temperature is raised to 160C and maintained for 5 hours. The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature.

EXAMPLE 9

In this example, there is added to the product of example 3 in the same reaction vessel 13.16 g of 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. The reaction conditions are the same as on Example 8.

EXAMPLE 10

In this example there is added to the product of Example 1 in the same reaction vessel, 9.29 of N-aminopropylmorpholine. The reaction temperature is raised to 160° C. and maintained for 5 hours. The reaction conditions are the same as in Example 8.

EXAMPLE 11

In this example there is added to the product of Example 1 in the same reaction vessel, 8.39 g of N-hydroxyethylpiperazine. The reaction conditions are the same as in Example 8.

EXAMPLES 12-16

In these examples, a Base Blend is employed as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Composition            Wt. %                                                   ______________________________________                                         Solvent Neutral Oil 130                                                                               75.25                                                   Solvent Neutral Oil 335                                                                               21.74                                                   Zinc Dithiophosphate   1.12                                                    Dinonyldiphenylamine   0.39                                                    Magnesium Sulfonate    1.50                                                    Poly(siloxane)         150    ppm                                              ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         ANALYSES                                                                       ______________________________________                                         Kinematic Viscosity, cst, 40 C.                                                                       31.50                                                   100 C.                 5.36                                                    Pour Point, F D-97     +5                                                      Ash, Sulfated % D-874  0.93                                                    Phosphorus, % X-Ray    0.11                                                    Sulfur, % X-Ray Total  0.40                                                    Zinc, % X-Ray          0.12                                                    Magnesium, %           0.33                                                    Cold Cranking Simulator, cP, -18 C.                                                                   1660                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The compositions of this invention of Examples 1 and 8-11 were blended at a 4.85 wt. % polymer level in the above Base Blend; and the resultant composition was tested for Dispersancy by the Bench VC Test (BVCT). In this test, the dispersancy is measured against three standards (excellent/good/poor) and improved dispersancy is evidenced by lower ratings as evidenced by the data provided below in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                                  Polymer of                                                            Example  Example     BVCT Result                                                                               Standards                                      ______________________________________                                          12*     1           97         7/34/75                                        13       8           33         7/38/78                                        14       9            6         10/20/55                                       15       10          20         7/37/70                                        16       11          15         7/27/70                                        ______________________________________                                    

From the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the product of Example 12* (which was not coupled at all) is not characterized by the desire degree of dispersancy.

Examples 13-16 which, in accordance with this invention contain polymer functionalized with isocyanate moieties and coupled with polyamines, are characterized by the desired degree of dispersancy.

In a further series of tests, the Thickening Effect is measured.

The compositions of Examples 8-11 are reblended at 5 wt. % polymer composition in SNO-100 and the kinematic viscosity at 100° C. is measured as provided by the data below in Table 10.

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                                              Kinematic  Thickening                                              Polymer     Viscosity  Effect                                         Example  of Example  cst @ 100° C.                                                                      CST                                            ______________________________________                                         19        8         22.82       14.69                                          20        9         15.27        7.14                                          21       10         15.13       7.0                                            22       11         14.0         5.87                                          ______________________________________                                    

From the above Table, it is apparent that the products formulated with the additives of this invention provide increased thickening effect.

Although this invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of this invention.

In a further series of tests, the compositions of Examples 1 and 8 were blended at 0.75 wt. % polymer concentration in SNO-130 oil and evaluated in the Bench Oxidation Test. In this test, a solution containing 1.5 wt. % of test polymer in SNO-130 oil is blown with air while heated and stirred. Samples are withdrawn periodically for analysis by Differencial Infrared Absorption (DIR) to observe changes in the carbonyl vibration band at 1710 CM⁻¹. Higher carbonyl vibrational band intensity indicates a lower thermaloxidative stability of the sample as shown below in Table 11.

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                                      Polymer   Oxidation Index                                         Example      of Example                                                                               at 144 hours                                            ______________________________________                                         17           3         11.9                                                    18           8          2.7                                                    ______________________________________                                    

From the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the composition of Example 17* fails to exhibit anti-oxidation ability. Note that the compositions of Example 18 of the invention exhibit anti-oxidant characteristics. 

We claim:
 1. A functionalized polymer comprising moieties derived from (i) first monomer containing a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond and an isocyanate moiety and (ii) second monomer containing a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carbon-carbon double bond and which is free of isocyanate moieties, said polymer backbone bearing pendant side chains containing isocyanate moieties, having been functionalized with first functionalizing agent containing at least one sulfur atom and at least one hetero nitrogen atom, and second functionalizing agent, a primary or secondary functionalizing polyamine.
 2. The functionalized polymer of claim 1 wherein said polymer has a molecular weight M ranging from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
 3. The functionalized polymer of claim 1 wherein said first functionalizing agent is a phenothiazine, a mercaptoimidazole, a mercaptobenzimidazole, a mercaptothiazole, a mercaptobenzothiazole, a mercaptothiadiazole, a mercaptothiazoline, a mercaptothiazolidine, a mercaptopyrimidine, a mercaptopyridine, a mercaptooxazole, a mercaptobenzoxazole, a mercaptoaniline, a thiomorpholine, or a mercaptopurine.
 4. The functionalized polymer of claim 1 wherein said first functionalizing agent is phenothiazine.
 5. A functionlized polymer of claim 1 wherein said second functionalizing agent is 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, N-aminopropylmorpholine or N-hydroxyethylpiperazine.
 6. A functionalized polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first monomer is ##STR4## wherein C═C is an ethylenically unsaturated double bond; and R² is a divalent hydrocarbon moiety selected from the group consisting of alkylene, alkarylene, aralkylene, cycloalkylene and arylene;
 7. A lubricating oil composition comprising a major portion of a lubrication oil and 0.2-10 wt. % of a functionalized polymer containing moieties derived from isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate and stearyl methacrylate, said polymer having been functionalized with phenothiazine as a first functionalizing agent and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, or N-hydroxyethylpiperazine as a second functionalizing agent. 